This Tuesday evening, the Blues will face Spain for a place in the Euro final on Sunday evening in Berlin. If they lose, they will exit the competition as there is no match for third place, a rule established by UEFA since 1984. Historically, the tournament format has evolved, with a significant change in 2016 when the number of teams increased from 18 to 24, introducing the round of 16.
The French and Spanish teams have a rich history in the European Football Cup, having won the title five times between them. The semi-final match in Munich will be a pivotal moment. Spain aims to hold the record for the number of titles, currently shared with Germany, while France seeks to equal this record. Since France's World Cup victory in 1998, only four World Cup or European Cup finals out of 13 have not featured one of these teams.
France's attack has been struggling in the 2024 European Cup, scoring only three goals, none from open play. Kylian Mbappe, who has scored just one goal from a penalty, has been playing with a broken nose. Antoine Griezmann, who was prolific in the 2016 European Cup, has also been less effective. Spain's defense, on the other hand, is depleted with key players Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand suspended. This could be an opportunity for France to break their offensive drought.
The coaching philosophies of Didier Deschamps and Luis de la Fuente will also be on display. Deschamps prefers a pragmatic and realistic approach, focusing on defensive stability. In contrast, De La Fuente encourages his players to play freely, even if it leads to mistakes. This contrast in styles could be a defining factor in the match.
In Lyon, the city has announced that the semi-final will be broadcast on a giant screen at the Gerland sports center. Nearly 10,000 supporters are expected to gather to cheer on the French team. The event will follow the same registration process as the Rugby World Cup broadcasts, with the venue opening at 5 p.m. and kick-off at 9 p.m. Security measures, including bag checks and street closures, will be in place.
